Rules Quiz

In a match, a player’s ball is stuck in a bush. The bush itself is growing from an area of ground under repair, but the ball is hanging outside of the ground under repair. The player takes free relief using the spot on the ground directly under where the ball lies to measure out the relief area. The player drops the ball in the right way and plays their next stroke. What is the ruling? a) The player loses the hole for playing from the wrong place. b) There is no penalty. c) The player gets one penalty stroke for taking relief for an unplayable ball.

Answer is at the end of this newsletter

Looking back

Just a little reminder as we look forward to the New Year that this is also a good time to look back. For those of you who haven’t had chance, I would enthusiastically recommend that you take a little time to look at the excellent article created by Dave Craggs and Rob Taylor documenting the history of our Seniors’ Section. There is a link to the document in the banner on our homepage, or you can access it by clicking here.

Seniors’ Section newsletter in 2026

Author: The Editor

Thank you to those members of the Seniors who have made kind comments and offered words of encouragement since I took over the newsletter from the redoubtable Mr Pickles. It would be helpful to hear your comments on what you would like to see here as we move into the New Year. Please button-hole me in the clubhouse, send me a message on IG, or email me at ianrgoodman@outlook.com with your ideas on how the newsletter could be improved.

Happy Mondays Report – 29 December 2025

Reporter: Steve Bird

Excellent conditions for winter golf greeted us for the last Monday of 2025. No wind, no rain, not too cold and the course finally drying out following a few days of minimal rain.

Fifteen players took part, 3 teams of 4 plus one of 3. The winners with a below par average of 27 were Messrs Gosling, Lawless, Kendal and Bocquet. Tommy was also top scorer for the day with 31 points off his 10 handicap. Well done Mr Lawless.

Runners up with a score of 25.5 was the team of Foster, Rowley, Bennett and Lambert with Steve contributing 29.

Tee booking schedule for tomorrow Thursday 1 January

Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 4 January

Rules Quiz answer

b) is correct. There is no penalty. See Clarification Ground Under Repair/2

Rules Quiz

In stroke play, a player bends some long grass out of the way to get a clear view of their ball in the rough. They then play their next stroke. What is the ruling? a) there is no penalty b) The player gets one penalty stroke c) the player gets two penalty strokes.

Answer is at the end of this newsletter

Friday 19 December – Bottle of Wine

Reporter: Paul Foster

The final Bottle of Wine competition of the year was played under clear blue skies on a fine winter’s day, providing perfect conditions to close out the year. With little wind and crisp air, the course presented beautifully, its summer greens running true and mats on fairways provided a firm lie. A strong field turned out, with members keen to finish on a high note. Scoring reflected the favourable conditions with exactly half of the field playing to plus or minus 2 shots of their handicap. The standout performance came from the eventual winner Steve Bramall who has now seen his handicap reduced six shots in two weeks by the axeman! Despite the competitive edge, the day was marked by good spirits and camaraderie, fitting for the final event of the calendar. As the last putts dropped and clubs were packed away, players gathered in the clubhouse to reflect on a successful year of golf and look ahead with anticipation to the Winter League.

Competitors on the day – 30. One 2 scored today, Paul Lennie at the 9th. As we played 13 holes, all scores have been pro-rated up 15 holes.

RESULT

Seven handicaps have been amended based on the day’s efforts. Please click on the link below for the details:

Seniors’ handicaps

Happy Mondays Report – 22 December

Reporter: Steve Bird

On the day following the year’s shortest day it was barely light when my group teed off at 08:33, however, as they say in these parts, it “turned out nice’ and by 10 o’clock the sun had broken through and it was relatively warm with no rain, albeit boggy underfoot on the lower land.

A total of 14 players made up four teams – 2 x 4 players and 2 x 3. The winning team comprised Paul Foster, Mike Kendal and Tony Lambert with an average score of 25.66. Runners up were late starters Messrs Broady, Bramall, Dixon and Thornton with a score of 25.

On a point of admin, many of our merry bunch will be taking in the winter sun in foreign parts (me included) and it would help me when drawing up rotas if you could message me and Mike Kendal (Friday Rota) as to when you are away. This will save us clogging up tee times with members who are not around to play. Thanks.

Tee booking schedule for tomorrow 25 December!

(Health and safety warning: Tee bookers should take extra care when using computer equipment whilst under the affluence of incohol imbibed on Christmas day.)

Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 28 December

Rules Quiz answer

C is correct. Rule 8.1a. By moving the grass the player improved their lie and the area of the intended swing.

Rules Quiz

Player B’s ball was lying badly in deep rough. Player A said to player B: “You have no shot at all. If I were you, I would declare the ball unplayable”. What is the ruling? a) A gets two penalty strokes for giving advice. If player B follows that advice they also get two penalty strokes. b) Player A gave player B information on the Rules, so no penalty. c) As player A’s advice could have influenced player B in determining his play, A gets two penalty strokes. Player B is not penalised

Answer is at the end of this newsletter

Seniors. Christmas Lunch

Reporter: Ian Goodman

No golf before our Christmas do! The course was closed for the day to avoid the possibility of contracting trench foot on a waterlogged track. As we didn’t have to chop our way through the mud all our energy could be diverted to carousing in the clubhouse. Top marks to Paul Foster for keeping his party hat on well into the evening. I’m sure that everyone who attended will agree that it was a first-class event. Great food, wonderful companionship and a chance to get to know each other better. It’s far easier to communicate with your fellow seniors when you’re sat next to each other, rather than having to shout across an unused fairway from your side of the rough. I’ve put a few photographs of some of the more photogenic attendees below.

Happy Mondays Report – 15 December

Resident poet: The Editor

Unhappy Mondays for a change
There was no golf at all
Our glorious course was waterlogged
No chance to whack a ball

We had to stay inside at home
And do as we were bid
But looking on the bright side...
At least we saved a quid

Tee booking schedule for tomorrow Thursday 18 December

As advised in last week’s newsletter, there is no booking schedule for a Friday game on 2 January. Please make your own arrangements and book on IG as normal if you do want to play.

Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule Sunday 21 December

Rules Quiz answer

C is correct. See Rule 10.2a and Clarification Advice/1. Such a comment is advice because it could have influenced the player in deciding how to play the hole.

Rules Quiz

In stroke play, instead of recording his usual signature on his score card, a player records his initials. What is the ruling? a) The player is disqualified. b) The penalty is disqualification but this may be waived by the Committee. c) There is no penalty.

Answer is at the end of this newsletter

Seniors Chairman Vacancy

You may be aware that due to a resignation the Seniors is currently without a Chairman. If you would like to “put a bit back” and join the Seniors’ Committee in this role then please let any member of the committee know. The job is not too onerous, and you will of course have the full support of an established committee behind you. The responsibilities of the role are set out on page 3 of our Strategy, Rules and Guidelines document. Should you want to have a word before you step forward, then please feel free to speak to any member of the Seniors’ Committee.

Christmas meal – Friday 12 December

For those of you signed up for our Christmas meal this Friday please do your best to arrive at 2.00 p.m. You should be in your seat, Christmas party hat in place, ready to receive your festive fare at 2.30 p.m. As things stand, the Fun Game on Friday morning will be over 12 holes. If you have an early tee time you can of course play as many holes as you wish, with the first 12 counting towards the bottle of wine prize. The £20 cost for the meal and free raffle should already have been debited to your bar account by the time you receive this newsletter.

Final Round Autumn League

Reporter: Paul Foster

On Friday, I was unable to participate in the final round of the Autumn League due to physical and cognitive impairment resulting from excessive alcohol consumption the previous night, which exceeded my normal tolerance. Upon waking, I experienced symptoms including dizziness, dehydration, fatigue and reduced coordination. After several failed attempts to stand upright, locate my clubs, or even remember how to get to Lymm, I concluded that I should not participate in the days event to avoid potential injury, not only to myself, but my fellow golfers, nearby trees and anyone standing within a 30-meter radius. I acknowledge responsibility for this incident and will take steps to ensure it does not happen again (Editor’s note: well, we’ll see about that won’t we Paul?). The root cause was identified as saying “one for the road” approximately six times too often.

Therefore, a truncated report this week:

Competitors on the day – 38, 16 from the 1^st division and 22 from the 2^nd division.

One 2 scored today, Duncan Clarke at the 9^th.

Round of the day goes to Mark Pickles, who finished gross 2 over par, even with an OOB on the 10^th.

As we played 13 holes, all scores have been pro-rated up to 15 holes.

Results

Division 1

Division 2

As predicted, Russell Jones held a large enough lead to retain top position in the first division. Even the round of the day for Mark Pickles was not enough to catch him.

A tremendous final round from Ian Goodman saw him overhaul the two point lead Paul Lennie had enjoyed, securing Ian first place in the second division

Winners of the Autumn League

Division 1

Division 2

Seniors’ handicaps

Leader Boards

Happy Mondays Report – 8 December

Reporter: Steve Bird

A lovely calm early December morning greeted 12 players who made up four teams of three.

The winning team was Alan Copeland, Kevin Bocquet and Mike Bennett who averaged a creditable par score of 26 per head.

We had three runners up teams who spookily all scored 74 points and therefore averaged 24.66 points per head.

Two points of admin:

The winners of prize money referred to in the weekly newsletter of 26 November have had their winnings credited to their bar accounts.

It appears that the club have blocked out our early tee times when we usually start at 8:06, presumably in view of the darker mornings. I acknowledge that last Sunday’s tee booking was a bit chaotic and the attached booking schedule starts at 8:33 in line with the requirements of IG. I will monitor available booking times for future dates until we can revert to our usual 8:06 start. 

Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 14 December

Golf – Boxing Day Friday 26 December and Friday 2 January 2026

For those of you who are keen to try out your Christmas golfing gifts (or just desperate to escape from your families), your fellow Seniors will be taking to the course on the above dates. Please note there will be no booking schedules issued for these dates, you will need to make arrangements between yourselves for a social game and book on IG as normal. Boxing Day may well be busy, so “book early”. The good news is that you are almost guaranteed to shoot your best score of the year so far on the second date above.

Correction and apology

Author: Ian Goodman

In last week’s newsletter I mistakenly included the following phrase: “Our esteemed Chairman Mr Craggs“. In response to the significant number of you who were extremely keen to point this out to me, neither the second nor the third words in the phrase are applicable. Mr Craggs is of course our Secretary. Please accept my apologies for this error which was immediately corrected.

Rules Quiz answer

c) is correct. See Clarification 3.3b/2. There is no penalty if initials were used to certify, rather than the full name.

Rules Quiz

In stroke play, when playing out of a bad lie, a player accidentally hits the ball a second time on their follow through. What is the ruling? a) The double hit counts as only one stroke and there is no penalty. b) The double hit counts as two strokes but there is no additional penalty. c) The double hit counts as one stroke but the player gets an additional one penalty stroke.

Answer is at the end of this newsletter

Abergele – Thursday 3 September 2026

Next year’s Abergele Seniors Open will take place on Thursday 3 September 2026. Six tee times have been booked from 10.30 a.m. Please let the ever-smiling organiser Pete Broady know if you are interested in playing at this outstanding course. Pete’s contact details are on IG. No firm commitment is needed at this stage and there’s no need to send Pete the money you’ve set aside for Christmas. Pete will collect the funds early next year once the 24 players are known.

2026 Senior Section Calendar

Our esteemed Secretary Mr Craggs has collated the Seniors calendar for the coming year. Please click here or on the Senior Section Calendars link in the banner at the top of this newsletter to see what 2026 holds in store.

Lymm Seniors’ Strategy, Rules and Guidelines

The above document has also been updated and amended. Again, this document can be accessed either here or from the banner at the top of this newsletter. The protocol for arranging matches in our knockout competitions has been clarified. Here’s an extract from the new guidance: “It is the responsibility of the individual or pair whose name(s) appear(s) highest in the draw to contact their opponent(s), offer some possible dates for the match to be played, agree a date and then book the agreed tee time on IG“. Making one individual or pair responsible for making the initial contact should hopefully speed up the process of getting a date agreed and in the players’ diaries.

Round 9 of 10 Autumn League

Reporter: Paul Foster

The day started like a picture postcard, and ended like a Norse myth.

What began as a serene Friday morning on the course, quickly turned into a meteorological hostage situation. The round opened as a glorious winter’s day, I even removed my leggings to ease the overheating which, in hindsight, was as bold as declaring “what could possibly go wrong”. By the 4^th the breeze had picked up, “invigorating” we lied to each other. By the 7^th, the dark satanic clouds had gathered in a way that suggested they had been watching my putting stroke and were deeply offended. The heavy rain started, which gave us a chance to show mental fortitude. But by the 10^th, the heavens decided subtlety was overrated and switched directly to ‘angry hail machine gun mode’. Suddenly, every golfer on the course resembled a confused penguin, sprinting for shelter while shouting things like, “only 3 holes to go” or “where’s my umbrella gone?”. Golfers streamed off the course from all directions, whizzing past us as if they were participating in some budget action film. But like the committed athletes we are, we finished the round. My final putt crossed the hole, but at that point the ball was a frozen marble, and the rules of physics didn’t apply. (Editor’s note: the next part of this report contains information which some readers may find disturbing). Dave Craggs and I dragged our frozen sodden bodies to the changing room, to remove all our drenched clothing (Dave had a rather dapper pair of grey faux leather leggings under his golf trousers). These were replaced with dry, unworn waterproofs, so we could attend the Seniors’ committee meeting in some sort of comfort. In summary, scorecard ruined, morale questionable, story unforgettable.

Competitors on the day – a session low of 30, 13 from the 1^st division (wimps) and 17 from the 2^nd division (well hard). Three cards handed in by ‘golfers’ who sought refuge in the clubhouse after playing 6 holes.

Considering the atrocious weather conditions, eleven players commendably equalled or beat their handicap.

One 2 scored today, Ian Whitehead at the 9^th.

Only 1 player put the wrong handicap on their scorecard.

Pity I didn’t witness the duel between Russ Jones and Ian Whitehead. I’d have paid money to watch those two play today. Russ played the front nine in 32, finished gross 3 under par for the 13 holes, including a mind blowing seven 3s. Ian was 2 over par for the 13 holes. Their round showcased two skilled golfers bringing out the best in each other. An example of seniors’ golf played at a high level.

As we played 13 holes, all scores have been pro-rated up to 15 holes.

Results

Division 1

Division 2

With one round to go to complete the Autumn league the lead at the top of division 1 is now an impressive 11 points. Seems little anyone can do to stop Russ Jones from winning the prize. Mark Pickles just needs to step up and record at least 41 points to overhaul Russ.

In division 2 Paul Lennie and Ian Goodman go into the final round both in the hunt for glory.

Seniors’ handicaps

Leader Boards

Happy Mondays Report – 1 December

Reporter: Steve Bird

Firstly, my apologies for not turning up today. When I had a message from Mr Willson before it got light to say that, after Friday’s deluge, he was still drying out the decision was made for me. The kind of day which my Scots ancestors would call dreich and only folk with strong fortitude would dream of playing golf.

When I looked at 8:30 there were only 5 of our merry band still on the booking sheet. So, if your name is Chisnall, Copeland, Craggs, Bramall or Bocquet I’m sure you have everyone’s utmost respect – or you just didn’t unbook yourselves.

If you DID play, congrats to the winners.!!

Tee booking schedule for tomorrow Thursday 4 December

Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 7 December

Rules Quiz answer

a) The double hit counts as only one stroke and there is no penalty. See Rule 10.1a.